Issues

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "Protecting our open spaces and California’s sacred wilderness is more than sound public policy- it's an obligation. I also believe that environmental protection is more than preserving the wilderness far away from communities. In Congress, I have fought to protect our daily environment - our tap water, the air that surrounds us, the parks and trails in populated areas, and most importantly, I will continue fighting to ensure that new schools are constructed in safe, non-polluted locations."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "Healthcare is an inalienable human right that permeates every aspect of our lives, and affects our capacity to live, work and succeed. It is our responsibility to ensure that all Americans, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, religion, and ability are given access to quality affordable care."

Education

Excerpt: "In the 21st Century, the competition for jobs and for a stake in the world marketplace will be won by the young people who are best educated. In Silicon Valley, perhaps more than in any other part of the country, we must commit ourselves to providing our students with the very best education we can give them."

Excerpt: "I've lived and worked in this district for nearly my entire life. I've watched its remarkable transformation from Blossom Valley to Silicon Valley. In that time, we have done nothing less than change the way the world does business. With this remarkable success comes great responsibility. We must continue to grow and expand our new economy, and we must continue to be leaders in the field of innovation."

Analysis

Congressional Staff Salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Honda paid his congressional staff a total of $1,198,912 in 2011. He ranks 179th on the list of the lowest paid Democratic Representative Staff Salaries and he ranks 14th overall of the highest paid Representative Staff Salaries in 2011. Overall, California ranks 5th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[13]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Honda's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $369,010 and $910,000. That averages to $639,505, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic Representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.[14]

Political positions

Percentage voting with party

November 2011

Mike Honda voted with the Democratic Party 93.1% of the time, which ranked 73 among the 192 House Democratic members as of 2011.[15]